As the 21st edition of City Stages approaches, everyone seems to have an opinion on the festival. Founder and president George McMillan addresses some FAQ's from critics:

QUESTION: Is it true that City Stages takes up to a year to pay its vendors? (Vendors include companies that put up tents, fencing and stages, provide sound equipment and lights, and clean up the festival site.)

ANSWER: Yes. These are people who've been willing to work with us, and we help them build their businesses. We do pay the vendors; we just pay them late. Usually, they are paid in full by the next festival. I wish that it were different. Unfortunately, over a number of years, the debt has accumulated, and this is what we've had to do. But we don't have a problem. We're loyal to our vendors, and they're loyal to us.

QUESTION: Is the Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil getting bigger than City Stages?

ANSWER: I don't think so, and I don't think you can compare City Stages with the Crawfish Boil. These are two separate events with two separate agendas, and two separate markets. The Crawfish Boil is a for-profit festival. City Stages is a not-for-profit festival, established with a certain mission and a certain vision: to build Birmingham's music scene. It's like comparing apples and oranges.

QUESTION: How do you cope when nearby festivals, such as Bonnaroo and BamaJam, are locking down acts with their radius clauses and won't let them play at City Stages?

ANSWER: In Lenore Kinder of AEG Live (City Stages' talent buyer), we have a person who's respected in the industry and part of a major organization. They've done a good job, with the amount of time they've had to book acts. We wish we had started working with them earlier. I also think it's the totality of the experience we're trying to sell. Our festival isn't just about the acts; it's about community.

QUESTION: What do you say to the people who think it's time for City Stages to go away?

ANSWER: Thankfully, I think there are far more people who think it needs to stay.